Description
- Round trip, air-conditioned transportation from your St. Petersburg cruise ship terminal!
- Blanket Visa for Russia is included for the duration of this Moscow sightseeing shore excursion from St. Petersburg!
- Enjoy a privately guided excursion of Moscow!
- English speaking and certified shore excursion guides!
- Guided visit of the Kremlin and the Armory - see Faberge eggs and Orlov Diamond!
- See Red Square, St. Basil Cathedral, Lenin's Tomb, GUM shopping complex!
- Photo stops and scenic city sightseeing!
- Enjoy lunch at the Artist's Gallery Restaurant!
- Snacks and beverages on the train to Moscow!
- Dinner and beverage on the train to St. Petersburg!
- Private small groups only, personalized service!
We invite you to join us for an unforgettable visit to Moscow and the Kremlin. Take a ride of the famous high-speed train and then marvel at the exciting sights of the Kremlin, Red Square, Saint Basil Cathedral and so much more. This is a trip that will make memories that last a lifetime!
Please note: The cruise line may say that in order to get off of the cruise ship in St. Petersburg Russia that you will need to be on one of their ship sponsored cruise line shore excursions or apply for a Russian visa. This is not true with us...with our Electronic Shore Excursion Ticket and government sanctioned, private excursion guide you will be able to see the beauty of this great country the easy way.
Your Moscow sightseeing excursion guide will be with you every step of the way. They will inform, explain and show you the beauty and history of Moscow.
Experience the best of Russian culture by seeing both capitals of Russia during your visit - St. Petersburg and on to Moscow! From the cruise terminal, your guide will point out the sights of St. Petersburg as you pass through on the way to the airport or train station. Everything is prearranged and they will accompany you on the journey to Moscow. All transfers and transportation costs are included in the price of this St. Petersburg Sightseeing Excursion to Moscow!
With this great adventure, you will experience the highlights of Russia's exciting capital in one day during this unforgettable excursion. To start you will depart your St. Petersburg cruise terminal with your personal guide for the transfer to the train station in St. Petersburg and board the Sapsan high-speed train for the approximate 4-hour transfer. This new train can reach speeds of up to 150 mph. But, you'll be relaxing and enjoying your drinks and snacks from the business class carriage.
Kremlin and Armory ChamberOnce you arrive in Moscow, you'll meet your Moscow guide who will be with you throughout your visit and depart for a sightseeing drive through the bustling city. Your excursion starts directly from the square of three railway stations where the train arrives. After boarding the coach, you will be driven in the direction of the iconic Kremlin and Red Square. Built as a fortress in the 12th century, the Kremlin is currently the official residence of the President of the Russian Federation and the President's office.
While visiting the Kremlin you will also have a private visit of The Kremlin Armory - home to the State Diamond Fund. It boasts a unique collection of art, artifacts, and jewels. Starting back with Peter the Great, each leader was asked to leave contributions for the state. Some of the highlights include the ivory throne of Ivan the Terrible and Monomakh's Cap, a gold filigree, gem and pearl encrusted crown.
But some of the most impressive items of interest include the Orloff (Orlov) Diamond mounted in the Imperial Scepter weighing in at 189 carats, a fabulous collection of 10 Faberge eggs and the lavish coronation crown of Catherine the Great known as Great Imperial Crown encrusted with almost 5,000 diamonds and other precious gems. You'll also have the chance to see the incredible carriages that were the royal family's transportation. Your walkthrough will include the extensive Kremlin grounds with the Cathedral Square as its focal point. Surrounding the square are masterpieces of Italian architects of the 15th century. Along the way, visit the Assumption Cathedral, once a private chapel of the tsars, and marvel at the beautiful frescoes and the striking artwork.
After your visit to the Kremlin Grounds and Armory, you will climb aboard your coach again for a short drive along the Moscow River to the Artist's Gallery for lunch. En route, a quick stop will be made for photos on the Sofiiskaya Embankment with the magnificent view of the old Kremlin structures and walls. From this place, you see the famous monument of Peter the Great created by Soviet sculptor Zeretelli, the same artist in whose gallery you will dine.
The Artist's Gallery is a world-famous restaurant housed in one of the city's art galleries. Located inside the Zeretelli Gallery, the ambiance is everything that one would expect from this fantastical artist. The five rooms within the gallery follow different themes, all equally elaborate and everyone needs to see the large, light-filled atrium that is wallpapered with stained glass and primitive paintings. Be sure to have those cameras ready. The menu is a fusion of European and Asian influences. Although it might be considered secondary to the art, the food is well prepared and artistically presented. A four-course lunch will be served in a reserved dining area in the restaurant accompanied by tea, coffee, mineral water and a glass of red or white wine. Then, after your relaxing lunch, re-join your coach and proceed to Red Square.
Red SquareMade famous by both films and history, the Red Square is dominated by the multi-colored "onion" domes of St. Basil's Cathedral and the Kremlin Towers. The square was originally a marketplace and over the years, developed as the city's major showpiece. The square offers scenic vistas and photo opportunities of Lenin's Mausoleum, the Kremlin Towers, Lenin's Tomb, St. Basil's Cathedral and the GUM Department Store.
St. Basil Cathedral is impressive, but note that the cathedral is closed on Mondays, so outside viewing only on that day. However, St. Basil Cathedral remains as one of the most outstanding and remarkable monuments of Old Russian architecture. In the 16th century the tourists admired the beauty of the cathedral, and for the Russians, it became the symbol of native history and culture. St. Basil Cathedral is asymmetrical architectural ensemble consisting of eight chapels surrounding a ninth temple, which is the highest one. It is topped with a hipped roof. Each chapel bears the name of a saint. The central temple is dedicated to the Intersection of the Blessed Virgin. The chapels are conjoined by the system of passages. The cupolas that top the chapels are different from each other. Each cupola is decorated with windows, niches, and cornices. In the middle of the 1920s, St. Basil Cathedral earned the status as a museum. Since 1934 it is the branch of the State Historical Museum in Moscow.
Your private group will also have a visit to the outside of Lenin`s Tomb. Symbolic of Soviet times, the Mausoleum of Lenin solemnly rises in the Red Square at the background of the Kremlin's eastern walls and compositionally accomplishes the whole ensemble. And although in the last few years the suggestion of committing the body of the Leader of the Revolution to the ground is discussed with increasing frequency the monumental tombs still treasures a crystal sarcophagus with the embalmed body that attracts thousands of curious tourists and staunch communists.
Free Time and GUM Shopping MallFollowing your private guided visit of the Red Square, enjoy some free time to take more photos, or perhaps enjoy a cold beverage (on your own), shop, or just browse through the GUM Shopping Mall. At the appointed time and place, re-join your guide for the short walk to the coach parking.
Panoramic City DriveAt this point, you will enjoy a panoramic drive through the city as your guide points out highlights and provides you with the amazing history of the city and about life in Moscow today. A quick photo stop at Vorobiev Hills offers a magnificent panoramic view over Moscow and the world-renowned Moscow University.
Your excursion in Moscow then concludes at the Leningrad Train Station in downtown Moscow, for the approximate 4-hour return ride to St. Petersburg aboard the Sapsan high-speed train. Sit back and relax while you enjoy dinner on the train and non- alcoholic beverage service on the ride back to St. Petersburg.
Upon arrival in the St. Petersburg train station with your guide, your transportation will take you back to your cruise ship terminal.
You do not need a visa in order to travel for this Moscow tour - your Shore Excursioneer Cruise Excursion Eticket will act as your "blanket" visa for your complete tour of St Petersburg and Moscow. It is available only for those passengers who are spending more than one day in Saint Petersburg. The excursion does not run on Thursdays as the Kremlin is closed.
Where we meet
For this Private Moscow Sightseeing Excursion from St. Petersburg, you will meet your shore excursion guide just passed the passport booth outside of your ship (visa included in excursion price). All of the detailed information will be included on your Electronic Shore Excursion Ticket.
